Prospective Graduate Students: The Denver lab is considering applications for graduate students, both MS and PhD, for the 2022-23 academic year through the Integrative Biology graduate program. Applications are due on December 15, 2022 and more application information can be found here. The lab has openings for prospective students interested in developing thesis projects at the intersection of biological and Buddhist or other non-Western traditions. Students who feel resonance with the Big Questions listed on the Home Page should consider our lab! We welcome students aiming to pursue research in any life system. The lab currently studies slugs, nematodes, Bodhi trees and their pollinator wasps, and fungi. We welcome applications from students all over the world, and students from marginalized backgrounds and identities. We value diversity and equity in our graduate recruitment process.
What are the expectations? Competitive applicants for graduate training are expected to:
What is the process? How to apply? The first step is to contact Professor Denver with an email (denvedee[at]oregonstate.edu) that describes your experiences and suitability for training in the Denver lab environment (see expectations above). The message should also include specific project ideas that you might want to pursue. A CV or resume should be attached to the email. If it seems like there might be a good match, Professor Denver will invite applicants to follow up with an informal phone or Zoom interview. Candidates passing this stage will be invited to visit the lab (either in person or as a virtual Zoom visit). If the match still seems good on both sides, candidates will be encouraged to officially apply to the OSU Integrative Biology PhD program, which has a December 15 applicant deadline.
What are the expectations? Competitive applicants for graduate training are expected to:
- Have successfully completed (or nearly completed) a BS degree in a field related to biological sciences, Buddhist studies, indigenous studies, and/or philosophy (or related fields). Prior MS degrees are preferred for PhD path candidates.
- Have a demonstrated record of proactive engagement in research or other scholarly activities, consistent with Denver lab activities. Examples include (but are not limited to) undergraduate biological research experiences, study abroad programs, volunteer and outreach activities, and experiences with meditation and mindfulness.
- Have a clear understanding of their goals in pursuing graduate studies. We welcome candidates motivated by their personal identity and lived experience. We welcome and support both domestic and international candidates, and applicants of minoritized intersectional identities. We welcome candidates who think big and think outside the box.
- Work with a blend of autonomous motivation and collaborative spirit.
- Be enthusiastic about a training environment that blends biological and Buddhist thought and practices.
- Harmonize with Denver lab values.
What is the process? How to apply? The first step is to contact Professor Denver with an email (denvedee[at]oregonstate.edu) that describes your experiences and suitability for training in the Denver lab environment (see expectations above). The message should also include specific project ideas that you might want to pursue. A CV or resume should be attached to the email. If it seems like there might be a good match, Professor Denver will invite applicants to follow up with an informal phone or Zoom interview. Candidates passing this stage will be invited to visit the lab (either in person or as a virtual Zoom visit). If the match still seems good on both sides, candidates will be encouraged to officially apply to the OSU Integrative Biology PhD program, which has a December 15 applicant deadline.
